Leader Threatens Clergy In Response To Criticism

Impacto! - NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR & ABOUT THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY - CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AMERICA

May 21, 2000

CARACAS, Venezuela - The country's left-leaning President Hugo Chavez, likening his political reforms to the teachings of Jesus Christ, warned local bishops that any attempt to block his ``revolution'' might end in violence.

In a 20-page letter to the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference released by the presidential palace, the former paratrooper said his program to transform the nation had just begun.

The strong-worded and threatening letter, littered with quotes from the Bible, Pope Paul VI and French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau, came as Chavez appeared poised to win re-election to a six-year term May 28.

``If we allow the peaceful path of the revolution to be blocked, nobody will be able to stop it being achieved through the paths of violence,'' he wrote.

The letter was a response to criticism last month by top Roman Catholic Church clerics who said electoral authorities were biased in Chavez's favor and chided the president for twisting the Bible's words to suit his political needs.